Apparatus for automated refuse compacting and disposal

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for automated refuse disposal by compacting refuse, collected at the bottom of a chute, into a disposable carton and disposing of the same. The apparatus basically comprises a chute, a hopper for collecting refuse, means for positioning a carton in a compacting station, a ram to compact the refuse in the carton, means for removing the filled carton, and a system of electric controls for the automatic operation of the apparatus.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Emanuel Nadler 126 East 61st Street, New York, N.Y. 10021 L n u H 0 7 9 1 3 0 9 1 O 5 3 1,958,526 5/1934 Weber.........

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3,140,735 7/1964 Windleetal.................. IOU/229A APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATED REFUSE COMPACTING AND DISPOSAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates basically to apparatus and an automated method for refuse disposal by compacting refuse in a disposable carton and disposing of the same, which is particularly suitable for the disposal of refuse from multistory buildings such as apartment houses. More specifically, this invention relates to means for collecting refuse in a hopper, means for positioning a carton in a compacting station, a ram to compact the refuse collected in the hopper into the carton, means for removing the filled carton, and a system of electric controls for the automatic operation of the apparatus.

Description of the Prior Art In the conventional multistory building, at least one, and possibly more than one, vertically extending elongated refuse chute is provided, with each floor of the building having an access opening which permits refuse to be dropped or deposited into the chute. Such refuse descends through the chute by gravity until it reaches the basement or lower level. At this point, some means must be provided for either destroying the refuse or otherwise disposing of the same. As used herein, the term refuse is intended to comprehend garbage, wastepaper, trash, or any other form of disposable matter.

Many multistory buildings are provided with built-in incinerators which are objectionable for a number of reasons. The refuse must be taken from the collecting bin or hopper at the bottom of the chute, usually by manual operation, and placed in the incinerator to be burned, and then the ash collected and disposed of. This type of operation requires a great deal of space, much sophisticated equipment or manual labor, and it is dangerous. There is the ever present danger of the fire spreading from the incinerator to the surrounding areas. Therefore, local ordinances strictly regulate the use and operation of incinerators. Another problem presented by this method of refuse disposal is air pollution. In recent years a great cry has arisen from conservationists and the concerned public regarding the air pollution problem. It is, therefore, politically and sociologically unwise for the continuation of this method of refuse disposal.

It has also been the practice to have a janitor manually remove the collected refuse and place it in barrels to be later carted away to a dump or other disposal area. This method is objectionable from the standpoint of the labor involved and also the fact that due to the rather infrequent removal of the refuse, odors, etc. irritate the building occupants.

More recent innovations in the refuse disposal area have utilized compaction procedures to reduce the volume of the collected refuse and simultaneously aid in handling the refuse. One such system compacts the collected refuse in a specialized form of container which is periodically removed from the compaction apparatus and emptied in a waiting vehicle. The disadvantages inherent in this type of system are manifold and include the fact that the container must be manually removed from the apparatus and building and transported to a place to be emptied. Another disadvantage is the fact that the refuse tends to become so compacted within the cart that it cannot readily be removed therefrom. In addition, a specialized form of lifting means is required on the transporting vehicle in order to lift and empty the heavy cart filled with compacted refuse.

Another system utilizing the compaction method employs a sack into which refuse is deposited and then compacted. This system is limited in that the refuse cannot be compacted or compressed to any great degree due to the limited strength of the sacks employed. Also, the filled sacks must be removed, replaced and sealed manually, for the most part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a fully automated system of refuse disposal which compacts refuse in a disposable carton.

Briefly described, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a vertical chute into which refuse is deposited by the occupants of a multistory building, a hopper for collecting this refuse, means for positioning a disposable carton in a compacting station, a ram to compact the refuse in the carton, means for removing and sealing the carton, and a system of electric controls for the automatic operation of the apparatus. More specifically, a vertical chute extends through each floor of a multistory building and is provided with an access on each fioor through which refuse is deposited. The refuse is collected in a hopper at the bottom of the chute, alongside of which is a compacting ram which is activated, when a predetermined amount of refuse has been collected, to compact the refuse into a disposable carton. When the carton has been filled, means are provided for removing the filled carton from the compacting station and storing the carton for disposal. While the carton is being removed from the compacting station, it is automatically sealed thereby providing a compact and sturdy container for the refuse which can easily be disposed of without any manual handling of the raw refuse. Means are also provided for positioning an empty carton in the compacting station once the filled carton has been removed and repeating the operation described.

The amount of compaction to which the refuse is subjected in the carton is variable according to the desire of the user. By increasing or decreasing the volume of the container while maintaining the volume of the uncompacted refuse constant, the compaction ratio is correspondingly decreased or increased.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be described and understood more readily when considered along with the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the refuse disposal system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the refuse disposal system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view of the refuse disposal system of FIG. 1 taken along section line 3-3;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the refuse disposal system of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view of the compacting station of the refuse disposal system of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the electric control circuit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus for automatic refuse disposal according to the present invention is particularly suitable for use in an urban environment and in particular for use in apartment buildings of the multistory type. The refuse disposal system of the present invention basically comprises a vertically extending chute 2, a hopper 4 at the bottom of said chute, means for positioning a carton 6 in a compacting station 8, a ram 10 for compacting the refuse in the carton 6, means 12 for removing the filled carton, and a system of electric controls for the automatic operation of the apparatus.

The chute 2 is the conventional type found in many multistory dwellings, extending through each floor of the building and provided with an access on each floor. The hopper 4 which is clearly depicted in FIG. 4, is located at the bottom of chute 2. The refuse deposited in chute 2 is collected in the hopper 4 which is provided with means for starting the compacting cycle when a predetermined amount of refuse has been collected. While the means for positioning a carton 6 in the compacting station 8 may consist of any suitable device, such as a conveyor, etc., the present application contemplates the use of a carton guide 14 extending vertically above the compacting station. The cartons 6 are placed one above the other in the carton guide 14 as most easily seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. When a filled carton has been removed from compacting station 8, a fresh carton 6 is gravity fed from the carton guide 14 into the compacting station to await compaction of the refuse therein. The carton 6 may be made of any suitable material having sufficient strength to withstand the lateral pressure produced by the compaction. In practice, it has been found that a cardboard box having a 125 p.s.i. pressure rating is suitable from the standpoint of economy. The cartons are arranged in the carton guide such that when they are fed into the compacting station 8 the open end of the carton faces the hopper. The two covering flaps 27 and 29, for the open end of the carton, are folded along the sides of the carton and face upwardly and downwardly respectively.

A reciprocating head member or ram 10, which is basically rectangular in shape and of a size to slideably fit within the hopper 4 and within the carton 6, is mounted on the end of a rod 16 which is connected to a piston within the power cylinder 18. In practice it has been found that a ram having dimensions which allow a slight clearance with the sides of the carton is most efficient. The ram 10, as most clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, reciprocally moves in a horizontal plane contacting the refuse collected in hopper 4 and forcing the refuse into container 6 where it is compacted between ram and back plate 20. The operation of ram 10 may be by any suitable means although practice has demonstrated that a hydraulic system is best. Attached to the upper portion of ram 10 is plate 9 supported by suitable guide members, which follows the ram during the compaction cycle thereby maintaining hopper 4 free of refuse during the compaction cycle.

Backplate 20, which supports carton 6 during the compaction cycle, can be moved towards or away from ram 10, as clearly seen in FIG. 4 by the direction arrow and dotted lines, by loosening the support means therefor. Any suitable means may be used to accomplish this, such as a clamp and guide arrangement. This adjustability of the backplate allows the depth of the compacting station 8 to be varied thus allowing cartons of varying depths to be utilized. The carton guide 14, likewise, is adjustable to allow for the use of cartons of varying depths. Rods 23, extending vertically within the carton guide, can be manipulated to allow for cartons of varying depth.

Plate 34 is provided to support the upper portion of carton 6 during the compaction cycle and is connected to hinge means 38. L-shaped extension 36, also connected to hinge means 38, provides support to the exposed upper corner of carton 6. Connected to hinge 38 is actuating means 40 which rotates plate 34 and extension 36 to a vertical position thereby allowing a fresh carton to move into the compacting station when the filled one has been removed. Prior to the commencement of the compaction cycle, actuating means 40 again rotates plate 34 and extension 36 to the horizontal position to give support to the carton in the compacting station.

When the carton 6 has been filled with compacted refuse, it is removed from the compacting station 8 by the cartonremoving means 12. While this means may be comprised of any suitable device, the present application contemplates the use of a conveyor system 22 which is automatically activated to transport the filled carton 6 to another area for temporary storage. As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the conveyor belt 24 passes beneath the carton 6 and extends away from compacting station 8 to a remote area. As the carton 6 leaves the compacting station 8, support plate 26 serves to retain the compacted refuse within the carton until the flaps of the carton have been closed. The closing of the carton flaps is accomplished when the carton 6 has neared the end of support plate 26 and the upper and lower flaps, 27 and 29, are engaged by the upper and lower flap-folding guides, 28 and 30 respectively as seen in FIG. 3. These guides are so designed that they engage the flaps of the carton and manipulate them such that when carton 6 has reached the end of support plate 26 the flaps have been closed. Means are then provided for sealing the carton 6 once the flaps have been closed to insure that none of the compacted refuse is spewed in unwanted areas. Any suitable means for accomplishing this purpose may be used, such as stapling or taping. In practice, it has been found that the use of an automatic adhesive tape dispenser 32, dispensing tape 33, is best for this purpose.

The actuating and control system for the compacting and disposal apparatus, as depicted in FIG. 6, is shown without the usual and necessary safety controls as would appear in the commercial system. At the beginning of the cycle, the ram is at the rest or (2) position between the extreme forward and reverse positions. As soon as a container is fed into position, switch C in line 1 is closed providing power through switch 1 in line 2, CCl (A) wiper in line 3, AR contact in line 4 and reverse relay coil AL also in line 4. Reverse solenoid AL in line 2 is activated by the closing of normally open contact AL in line 2. Normally open contact AL in line 5 is likewise closed, supplying power to motor relay coil M also in line 5 which in turn closes contacts M, thereby starting the hydraulic pump motor moving the ram in the reverse direction away from the compacting station. The ram continues in this direction until it reaches position (1) where limit switch (1) in line 2 is opened, thereby dropping out reverse relay coil AL in line 4, contact AL in line 2 and reverse solenoid AL in line 2. Contact AL in line 5 and motor relay M in line 5 are dropped out which stops the hydraulic pump motor.

When microswitches D in line 6 are closed, indicating that the hopper is filled with refuse, power is supplied to hopper relay D in line 6 which then closes normally open contacts D in lines 7 and 8. Now there is power through limit switch C and normally closed limit switch (3) in line 1, normally open limit switch 1) in line 8, which is closed because of the ram being in the (1) position, contacts D in lines 7 and 8, normally closed contacts NPC and AL in line 8. Operating cycle counter relay coil CCl in line 7 is energized and advances wiper contact CC] one step to the second position. Forward relay coil AR is now energized which closes normally open contact AR in line 9 thereby energizing forward solenoid AR in line 9. Normally open contact AR in line 10 is closed which energizes motor relay M, thereby starting the hydraulic Al motor which moves the ram in the forward direction.

After the ram passes position (2), normally open limit switch (2) in line 22 is closed which energizes relay coil K2 in line 22. The refuse is then compacted to a pressure limit (1,500 p.s.i.) closing the normally open pressure switch SP in line 11, contact K2 in line 11 is closed and normal packing coincidence relay coil NPC in line 11 is energized. Normally closed contact NPC on line 8 is opened, thereby deenergizing forward relay coil AR in line 8 which halts the forward movement of the ram by opening normally closed contact AR in line 10 which deenergizes motor relay coil M in line 5, opening the M contacts and cutting power to the hydraulic pump motor. Also, there is now power through limit switch C in line 1, limit switch (1) in line 2, contact NPC in line 12, CC] (B) wiper (now in position with line 4), normally closed contact AR in line 4, to reverse relay coil AL in line 4. Reverse relay coil AL in line 4 is energized, which energizes reverse solenoid AL in line 2 by closing contact AL in line 2, and energizes motor relay coil M in line 5 by closing contact AL in line 5. Energized motor relay coil M in line 5 closes the M contacts starting the hydraulic pump motor and moving the ram in the reverse direction to position (I) where limit switch (1) in line 2 is opened, dropping out reverse relay coil AL in line 4, contact AL and reverse solenoid AL in line 2, contact AL and motor relay M in line 5 thereby stopping the hydraulic pump motor. Note that there is a normally open AL contact in line 13 in parallel with contact NPC in line 12 so that reverse relay AL will hold itself through the entire reverse stroke even though contact NPC drops out when pressure switch SF in line 22 opens.

If there is insufficient hydraulic pressure to close pressure switch SP in line 11 before the end of the forward stroke of the ram, the ram will reach position (3) where limit switch (3) in line 1 will open, thereby cutting power to forward relay coil AR which will stop the hydraulic pump motonNormally open limit switch (3) in line 14 will close, thereby energizing the reverse relay coil AL in line 4 and reverse the direction of the ram by energizing reverse solenoid AL in line 2 and the hydraulic pump Motor. The ram will then retract to the (1) position.

The above cycle is repeated when sufficient refuse has been collected to close microswitches D in line 6. When this occurs, operating cycle counter relay coil CC! in line 7 is energized and advances wiper contact CC! to the third position. This is the final compression stroke of the ram. When normal packing coincidence relay NPC in line 11 is energized by the closing of pressure switch SP in line 11, as detailed above, there is power through limit switch C in line 1, limit switch (1) in line 2, contact NPC in line 12, wiper contact CCl (B) (now in position with line 15) to end of cycle relay coil EOC in line 16, and through contact K2 in line 17 (which is closed when coil K2 is energized), contact AR and reverse relay coil AL in line 4. Reverse solenoid AL in line 2 and motor relay coil M in line 5 are energized and the ram moves in the reverse direction. When end of cycle relay coil EOC picks up it holds itself through its own contact EOC and switch SCP in line 16. Switch SCP is held by a cam on the conveyor at the end of the conveyor cycle, the cam has a short dwell and releases SCP shortly after the conveyor starts to move on the next cycle. As soon as the ram has retracted to position (2), limit switch (2) in line 22 is opened and relay coil K2. is deenergized. Contact K2 in line 17 is opened which drops out reverse relay coil AL in line 4 which halts the movement of the ram. Normally closed contact K2 in line 18 is closed as well as contact EOC in line 18, thereby energizing conveyor motor relay coil MC in line 18 which closes contact MC in line 19 starting the conveyor motor. After the conveyor starts, the cam associated with the conveyor releases switch SCP in line 16 which drops out end of cycle relay coil EOC. Conveyor motor relay coil MC is still held by its own contact MC in line 20 and switch SCP which now contacts line 21. Wiper contact CCl is also reset to its home position since operating cycle counter relay coil CCl is energized through switch SCP and notch homing contact CCl in line 21. At the end of the conveyor cycle, switch SCP is operated which drops out contact MC in line 20 and deenergizes conveyor motor relay coil MC which stops the conveyor motor by dropping out contact MC in line 19.

In operation, the ram 10 is in the (2) position initially, as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1. An empty carton 6 is gravity fed from the carton guide 14 to the compacting station 8, this initiates a signal which causes the ram to retract to the (1) or fully retracted position, as shown in FIG. 4. Plate 34 is rotated to the horizontal position supporting the upper portion of carton 6 while L-shaped extension 36 supports the exposed upper comer of carton 6 as shown in FIG. 5. Refuse, which is deposited by the occupants of the building in chute 2, falls by means of gravity into the hopper 4 where it is collected. When a predetermined amount of refuse has been collected in the hopper, a sensor is activated which begins the compression cycle of ram 10. The ram 10 advances from position (1) and compacts or compresses the refuse into the carton 6. The ram 10 advances, compacting the refuse, until a preset back pressure or position (3) is reached, when the ram is halted and reversed to await another hopper load of refuse. The refuse compressed into the carton expands and tends to recapture its original volume when the ram is retracted. In order to insure that the refuse is retained in the carton on the final compaction cycle, the ram is retractedto position (2) just outside the carton opening as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1. The number of compaction cycles (i.e., number of hopper loads of refuse which are compacted into a single container) is preset to give a compaction ratio or volume reduction of the order of 4: I. To alter this ratio the volunie of the container is changed by moving the backplate 20 to accommodate cartons of varying depth. The deeper the carton used the smaller this ratio becomes, thus allowing a simple and easy manner of altering the refuse compaction ratio. When the carton has been filled, the conveyor 22 is signalled into operation to transport the filled carton from the compacting station 8 to some other locality as shown in FIG. 2. As carton 6 passes out of the compacting station, support plate 26 acts to retain the compacted refuse in thecarton until the flaps are folded over to cover the opening. Upper and lower flap-folding guides, 28 and 30, as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, engage flaps 27 and 29, which, until now, have been folded over and lying flat along the top and bottom sides of the carton. The flap-folding guides turn the flaps around to cover the open side of the canon before it emerges from the protection plate 26. The automatic tapedispensing apparatus 32 places adhesive tape 33 over the juncture of the flaps thereby sealing the carton. The conveyor completes the removal of the carton from the apparatus to a storage area and the cycle is again ready to be repeated.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal which comprises a hopper for collecting the refuse to be compacted and disposed, means for supporting a disposable carton along side said hopper so that the refuse is passable into said carton through an open side thereof, a compacting ram positioned alongside said hopper having a trajectory which passes through said hopper and into said carton and having a face with dimensions which nearly conform to the cross-sectional dimensions of said carton supported alongside said hopper, a backplate to support said carton during compaction of the refuse therein, means for removal of said carton when filled with compacted refuse and means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper in replacement of the removed carton.

2. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 1 which further comprises variable backplate support means in alignment with the trajectory of said ram whereby disposable cartons of variable depth may be used according to the position of said backplate.

3. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper comprises a vertically extending carton guide containing a plurality of cartons in vertical arrangement which are gravity fed into position upon removal of the filled carton.

4. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 3 which further comprises means for sealing the carton upon removal from the hopper.

5. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for removal of said carton when filled with compacted refuse comprises a conveyor system which transports the filled carton to a storage area.

6. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 5 wherein the means for sealing the carton comprises means for closing the flaps associated with the open side of said carton and means for sealing said flaps.

7. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 6 wherein the means for closing flaps associated with and closing the open side of said carton comprises a plurality of flap-folding guides which engage the folded over upper and lower flaps of said open side of said carton as the carton passes on the conveyor and turns them to cover said carton opening.

8. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 7 which further comprises a vertically extending refuse chute in communication with said hopper and through which refuse is passable to said hopper.

9. Apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal which comprises a hopper for collecting the refuse to be compacted and disposed, means for supporting a disposable carton alongside said hopper so that the refuse is passable into said carton through an open side thereof, a compacting ram positioned alongside said hopper having a trajectory which passes through said hopper and into said carton and having a face with dimensions which nearly conform to the cross-sectional dimensions of said carton supported alongside said hopper, a backplate to support said carton during compaction of the refuse therein, a sensing device associated with said hopper which causes said ram to advance on its trajectory through said hopper and into said carton compacting a predetermined amount of refuse collected in said hopper, a switch means associated with said ram which reverses the direction of travel of said ram when the back pressure of the refuse compaction reaches a preset level, a counting device for counting a number of hopper loads of refuse compacted into said carton and means activated by said counting device for removing said carton when a predetermined number of hopper loads have been compacted into said carton.

10. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 9 which further comprises means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper in replacement of the removed carton.

11. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 10 which further comprises variable backplate support means in alignment with the trajectory of said ram whereby disposable cartons of variable depth may be used according to the position of said backplate.

12. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper comprises a vertically extending carton guide containing a plurality of cartons in vertical arrangement which are gravity fed into position upon removal of the filled carton.

13. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 12 which further comprises means for sealing the carton upon removal from the hopper.

14. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 13 wherein the means for removal of said carton comprises a conveyor system which transports the filled carton to a storage area.

15. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 14 wherein the means for sealing the canon comprises means for closing the flaps associated with the open side of said carton and means for sealing said flaps.

16. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 15 wherein the means for closing flaps associated with and covering the open side of said carton comprises a plurality of flap-folding guides which engage the folded over upper and lower flaps of said open side of said carton as the carton passes on the conveyor and turns them to cover said carton opening.

17. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 16 which further comprises a vertically extending refuse chute in communication with said hopper and through which refuse is passable to said hopper.

18. A method for refuse compacting and disposal which comprises:

a. positioning a disposable carton having one open side with flaps to cover said open side in a compacting station;

b. collecting refuse to be compacted by depositing the refuse in a vertically extending chute which is in communication with said hopper;

c. compacting the refuse collected in said hopper into the open side of said disposable carton by means of a reciprocating ram;

d. removing said disposable carton when filled with compacted refuse from the compacting station to a storage area;

e. closing the flaps associated with the open side of said carton to cover said open side; and

f. sealing said flaps.

19. A method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal which comprises:

a. feeding by gravity a disposable carton having one open side into a compacting station;

b. collecting refuse to be compacted and disposed in a hopper;

0. starting the compaction cycle when a predetermined amount of refuse has been collected in said hopper;

d. compacting the predetermined amount of refuse collected in said hopper into the open side of said disposable carton by means of a reciprocating ram; e. ending the compaction cycle when the refuse has been sufficiently compacted;'and

f. removing said disposable carton from the compacting station to a storage area.

20. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 19 wherein the step of starting the compaction cycle comprises the steps of sensing when a predetermined amount of refuse has been collected in the hopper and sending a signal which initiates the compaction cycle.

21. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 20 wherein the step of ending the compaction cycle comprises the steps of sensing the back pressure of the compacted refuse and reversing the direction of travel of the ram when a predetermined pressure has been reached.

22. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 21 which further comprises the step of containing the refuse within the carton during the removal step.

23. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 22 which comprises the further step of sealing the filled carton during the removal operation. 

1. Apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal which comprises a hopper for collecting the refuse to be compacted and disposed, means for supporting a disposable carton alongside said hopper so that the refuse is passable into said carton through an open side thereof, a compacting ram positioned alongside said hopper having a trajectory which passes through said hopper and into said carton and having a face with dimensions which nearly conform to the cross-sectional dimensions of said carton supported alongside said hopper, a backplate to support said carton during compaction of the refuse therein, means for removal of said carton when filled with compacted refuse and means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper in replacement of the removed carton.
 2. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 1 which further comprises variable backplate support meaNs in alignment with the trajectory of said ram whereby disposable cartons of variable depth may be used according to the position of said backplate.
 3. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper comprises a vertically extending carton guide containing a plurality of cartons in vertical arrangement which are gravity fed into position upon removal of the filled carton.
 4. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 3 which further comprises means for sealing the carton upon removal from the hopper.
 5. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for removal of said carton when filled with compacted refuse comprises a conveyor system which transports the filled carton to a storage area.
 6. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 5 wherein the means for sealing the carton comprises means for closing the flaps associated with the open side of said carton and means for sealing said flaps.
 7. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 6 wherein the means for closing flaps associated with and closing the open side of said carton comprises a plurality of flap-folding guides which engage the folded over upper and lower flaps of said open side of said carton as the carton passes on the conveyor and turns them to cover said carton opening.
 8. The apparatus for refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 7 which further comprises a vertically extending refuse chute in communication with said hopper and through which refuse is passable to said hopper.
 9. Apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal which comprises a hopper for collecting the refuse to be compacted and disposed, means for supporting a disposable carton alongside said hopper so that the refuse is passable into said carton through an open side thereof, a compacting ram positioned alongside said hopper having a trajectory which passes through said hopper and into said carton and having a face with dimensions which nearly conform to the cross-sectional dimensions of said carton supported alongside said hopper, a backplate to support said carton during compaction of the refuse therein, a sensing device associated with said hopper which causes said ram to advance on its trajectory through said hopper and into said carton compacting a predetermined amount of refuse collected in said hopper, a switch means associated with said ram which reverses the direction of travel of said ram when the back pressure of the refuse compaction reaches a preset level, a counting device for counting a number of hopper loads of refuse compacted into said carton and means activated by said counting device for removing said carton when a predetermined number of hopper loads have been compacted into said carton.
 10. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 9 which further comprises means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper in replacement of the removed carton.
 11. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 10 which further comprises variable backplate support means in alignment with the trajectory of said ram whereby disposable cartons of variable depth may be used according to the position of said backplate.
 12. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 10 wherein the means for positioning an empty carton alongside said hopper comprises a vertically extending carton guide containing a plurality of cartons in vertical arrangement which are gravity fed into position upon removal of the filled carton.
 13. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 12 which further comprises means for sealing the carton upon removal from the hopper.
 14. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined iN claim 13 wherein the means for removal of said carton comprises a conveyor system which transports the filled carton to a storage area.
 15. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 14 wherein the means for sealing the carton comprises means for closing the flaps associated with the open side of said carton and means for sealing said flaps.
 16. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 15 wherein the means for closing flaps associated with and covering the open side of said carton comprises a plurality of flap-folding guides which engage the folded over upper and lower flaps of said open side of said carton as the carton passes on the conveyor and turns them to cover said carton opening.
 17. The apparatus for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 16 which further comprises a vertically extending refuse chute in communication with said hopper and through which refuse is passable to said hopper.
 18. A method for refuse compacting and disposal which comprises: a. positioning a disposable carton having one open side with flaps to cover said open side in a compacting station; b. collecting refuse to be compacted by depositing the refuse in a vertically extending chute which is in communication with said hopper; c. compacting the refuse collected in said hopper into the open side of said disposable carton by means of a reciprocating ram; d. removing said disposable carton when filled with compacted refuse from the compacting station to a storage area; e. closing the flaps associated with the open side of said carton to cover said open side; and f. sealing said flaps.
 19. A method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal which comprises: a. feeding by gravity a disposable carton having one open side into a compacting station; b. collecting refuse to be compacted and disposed in a hopper; c. starting the compaction cycle when a predetermined amount of refuse has been collected in said hopper; d. compacting the predetermined amount of refuse collected in said hopper into the open side of said disposable carton by means of a reciprocating ram; e. ending the compaction cycle when the refuse has been sufficiently compacted; and f. removing said disposable carton from the compacting station to a storage area.
 20. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 19 wherein the step of starting the compaction cycle comprises the steps of sensing when a predetermined amount of refuse has been collected in the hopper and sending a signal which initiates the compaction cycle.
 21. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 20 wherein the step of ending the compaction cycle comprises the steps of sensing the back pressure of the compacted refuse and reversing the direction of travel of the ram when a predetermined pressure has been reached.
 22. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 21 which further comprises the step of containing the refuse within the carton during the removal step.
 23. The method for automatic refuse compacting and disposal as defined in claim 22 which comprises the further step of sealing the filled carton during the removal operation. 